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Penn State Job Catalog

Government Relations Specialist – Senior Professional (PSU2399)

Additional Levels

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.

Job Summary and Representative Duties

The Government Relations Specialist serves as a liaison between the university and local, state, and federal government entities; advocates for the mission and priorities of the University through the development of strategic relationships with government officials, agencies, and policymakers; monitors legislative developments in order to determine impact to the University; initiates action committees, briefings, and panels to ensure University relevance and impact in the political sphere; works collaboratively across academic and administrative departments to ensure that the university's interests are effectively represented in the public policy arena.

  • Foster partnerships with government officials and policymakers to advocate for the interests of the University; represent the organization with federal, state, and local agencies; establish strategic relationships that strengthen legislative influence
  • Monitor, analyze, and interpret legislation, proposals, policies, emerging issues, and regulations; determine impact to the university; present updates and recommendations to leadership
  • Influence government policy and legislative direction to advance University goals related to research, education, and service
  • Develop and execute initiatives, action committees, panels, and outreach events
  • Assist in the development and execution of advocacy strategies, including preparation of briefing materials, fact sheets, policy statements, talking points, and presentations; draft reports, memos, and correspondence to policymakers and stakeholders
  • Engage advocacy groups and community-based organizations that have complementary objectives in order to gain stakeholder interest, government support, and enhance organizational goals
  • Identify and pursue grant opportunities that align with the university's mission and strategic strengths
  • Collaborate with university leadership to uncover and develop parallel funding opportunities that complement institutional goals
  • Coordinate campus visits and events involving public officials, including town halls, roundtables, and recognition ceremonies
  • Represent the university in external coalitions, higher education associations, and regional government affairs networks
  • Ensure compliance with lobbying disclosure and reporting requirements at the federal and state levels

Level Matrix

Level:
– Senior Professional
Base Description:
– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.
Level Summary:
– Demonstrates advanced knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field. Works independently on moderately complex work assignments under limited oversight, reviews progress, and evaluates results. Monitors work and projects ensuring timeliness, quality, and efficiency. Identifies and mobilizes resources to achieve outcomes. Trains others and reviews progress with management. Presents ideas, concepts, and instructions in a clear and persuasive manner. Develops new techniques, concepts, and approaches and applies them to moderately complex and strategic and/or operational issues.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
– Indirect supervisor for other full–time employees
– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers, volunteers, or a full–time employee
Fiscal Responsibilities:
– May validate and pay invoices
– Monitors and tracks budgets and funding
Problem Solving:
– Encounters moderately complex problems
– Applies specialized knowledge and skills to resolve problems
– Understands benefits, limitations, and impact of potential solutions
Independence of Action:
– Works independently on moderately complex work assignments, reviews progress, and evaluates results
– May set priorities and organize work within general guidelines established by supervisor
– May review the work of others to verify accuracy and conformance to required procedures and special instructions
Communication and Collaboration:
– Communicates internally within working unit and the University
– Communicates with external audiences for scheduling/coordination
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Coaches others in using appropriate strategies for resolving conflict; negotiating reasonable compromises; and proposing and evaluating possible solutions
– Give candid and constructive feedback to others to influence and persuade managers and employees to accept and implement findings and recommendations
Salary Structure
  • Comp Grade – 14
  • Minimum – $97,100.00
  • MidPoint – $121,400.00
  • Maximum – $145,700.00
Critical Skills
  • Compliance
  • Document management
  • Financial analysis
  • Grant writing
  • Legal research
  • Negotiation
  • Policy analysis
  • Research administration
  • Stakeholder engagement
FLSA Exemption Status
Exempt
Minimum Education
Bachelor's Degree
Minimum Experience
6+ years of relevant experience
Equivalency
An equivalent combination of education and experience accepted